Rotary distributor for thick matter

ABSTRACT

A rotary distributor for thick matter, in particular for fresh concrete, has a load-bearing framework, which can be set down on a set-down surface, has a first extension-arm tube, which is arranged on the load-bearing framework such that it can be rotated about a framework-mounted vertical axis in the region of its inlet end, and has a second extension-arm tube, which is arranged such that it can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis in the region of the outlet end of the first extension-arm tube and communicates with the first extension-arm tube. The first extension-arm tube, in the region of its inlet end, can be pivoted, in addition, about a horizontal axis in relation to the load-bearing framework, and the second extension-arm tube can be rotated, in addition, about an axis of rotation, which is perpendicular to the horizontal pivot axis, in relation to the outlet end of the first extension-arm tube. Parallel-guidance devices are also provided between the first and the second extension-arm tubes to ensure that the second extension-arm tube, in different pivoting positions of the first extension-arm tube, is maintained in an alignment substantially parallel to the set-down surface.

The invention relates to a rotary distributor for thick matter, in particular for fresh concrete, with a supporting frame which is mountable on a mounting surface, with a first extension arm tube which is arranged in the region of the input-side end thereof on the supporting frame so as to be rotatable about a frame-mounted vertical axis and is chargeable there under pressure with the thick matter, and with a second extension arm tube which is arranged in the region of the output-side end of the first extension arm tube so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis and communicates with the first extension arm tube.

In large concrete construction projects, in which large amounts of fresh concrete have to be produced within a short time, the classic concreting methods, such as concreting using a crane bucket, are not efficient enough. If large distances or great heights additionally have to be overcome during the transport of concrete, use is generally made nowadays of stationary concrete pumps with a delivery line system. Distributing booms and rotary distributors, for example, are suitable as a distributing appliance at the end of a stationary delivery line. Rotary distributors of the type indicated at the beginning customarily consist of a two-part extension arm, a counter-extension arm with ballast and a supporting frame which is generally configured as a standing base. The two extension arm tubes of the two-part extension arm are customarily connected via a joint which only permits rotation about the vertical axis. Rotary distributors can therefore move only in the horizontal plane. While, for safety reasons, because of the great working height in the case of distributing booms, the boom arm is always composed of a supporting structure and a delivery line connected thereto, the second arm of a rotary distributor generally consists only of a self-supporting delivery tube. Rotary distributors customarily do not have a drive, but rather are guided manually by the operator. They are relatively favorably priced because of their simple design and because of their small reach. They are therefore preferably used for simple concreting tasks. The scissors-like mobility of the second extension arm tube in relation to the first extension arm tube has the advantage that, in contrast to distributing booms, the rotary distributors are highly suitable for concreting areas. In the case of such a concreting task, an operator, even with little experience and training, can discharge the concrete in a simple manner by manual moving of the extension arm tubes to any location within the radius of action of the rotary distributor. The risk of objects or people standing in the region of action being damaged or injured by this means is relatively small. On the other hand, rotary distributors have a concept-induced disadvantage in comparison to a stationary distributing boom. They are not capable of overcoming obstacles in the working region. However, vertical reinforcements for pillars, or wall connections, formwork, transport and storage containers or the like can frequently be found on the areas to be concreted at the building sites. These parts form obstacles which restrict the mobility of the rotary distributor and require a repeated, and therefore uneconomical, change in location of the rotary distributor. In the worst case, the use of the rotary distributor even has to be entirely abandoned, and therefore, alternatively, only the expensive stationary boom is suitable.

Taking this as the starting point, the invention is based on the object of improving a rotary distributor of the type indicated at the beginning to the effect that the working region thereof can be expanded and possible obstacles at the building site can more simply be avoided.

To achieve this object, the combinations of features indicated in patent claims 1 and 2 are proposed. Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

The solution according to the invention is based especially on the concept that a rotary distributor with a raisable first extension arm tube, the entire extension arm, can be pivoted in a simple manner beyond obstacles and a laborious repositioning of the rotary distributor is dispensed with. In order to permit raising of the first extension arm tube, it is proposed according to the invention that the first extension arm tube is additionally pivotable in the region of the input-side end thereof about a horizontal axis in addition to the vertical axis of rotation in relation to the supporting frame. If, in this case, the joint between the two extension arm tubes were to be provided, as is customary, only with a horizontal axis, the second extension arm tube would be inclined when the first extension arm tube was raised. As a result, the axis of rotation between the two extension arm tubes would no longer be vertical. The second extension arm tube would automatically pivot to the side. In order to avoid this disadvantage, it is also proposed according to the invention that the second extension arm tube is additionally rotatable about an axis of rotation, which is perpendicular to the horizontal pivot axis, in relation to the output-side end of the first extension arm tube, and that parallel guide means are provided between the first and the second extension arm tube, which parallel guide means are intended and suitable

-   -   for holding the second extension arm tube in an alignment         substantially parallel to the mounting surface in different         pivoted positions of the first extension arm tube,     -   and/or for holding the axis of rotation of the second extension         arm tube, which axis of rotation is perpendicular to the         horizontal pivot axis, in an alignment parallel to the         frame-mounted vertical axis in different pivoted positions of         the first extension arm tube.

The effect achieved by these measures is that the second extension arm tube is always held horizontally via the parallel guide irrespective of the pitch of the first extension arm tube.

The guiding of the second extension arm tube parallel to the mounting surface can be realized, for example, by means of two tensioning elements which connect the joint of the first extension arm tube to the joint of the second extension arm tube. This involves a coupler mechanism in which the parallel guide means have a web aligned parallel to the frame-mounted vertical axis, and a coupler of a four-bar linkage mechanism in the manner of a double crank, which coupler is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the second extension arm tube, which axis of rotation is arranged at the output-side end of the first extension arm tube, and in which the second extension arm tube is aligned substantially perpendicular to the coupler of the four-bar linkage mechanism.

When self-supporting extension arm tubes are used, it is of advantage if the first extension arm tube is connected to a frame-mounted tube length via at least two tube bends and a corresponding number of tube couplings, wherein two of the tube couplings are configured as rotary couplings with axes of rotation aligned perpendicular to each other. In an advantageous manner, here, one of the rotary couplings forms the vertical axis, and the other rotary coupling forms the horizontal axis, of the first extension arm tube in relation to the supporting frame.

A similar construction can be used for the connection of the first and the second extension arm tube. In this case, the second extension arm tube is connected at the input-side end thereof to the output-side end of the first extension arm tube via at least two tube bends and a corresponding number of tube couplings, wherein two of the tube couplings are configured as rotary couplings with axes of rotation aligned perpendicular to each other. In an advantageous manner here, one of the rotary couplings forms the horizontal pivot axis, while the other rotary coupling forms the axis of rotation, which is perpendicular to said pivot axis, between the first and the second extension arm tube.

In order to ensure adequate stability for the rotary distributor, it is advantageous if a ballast extension arm which rotates together with the first extension arm tube about the frame-mounted vertical axis is arranged in the region of the input-side end of said first extension arm tube.

A multiplicity of possibilities are conceivable for raising and lowering the extension arm. In a preferred refinement in this respect, the first extension arm tube is pivotable about the input-side horizontal axis thereof by means of a lifting apparatus with the second extension arm tube being raised or lowered in relation to the supporting frame. The lifting apparatus here can have a tensioning or tension member which is clamped between the extension arm tube and the ballast extension arm and is mechanically actuatable by the first extension arm tube being pivoted about the horizontal axis thereof. For this purpose, the lifting device advantageously has a lever which is coupled to the ballast extension arm or to the web of the four-bar linkage mechanism, is movable via a drive mechanism and the free lever end of which is connected to the first extension arm tube via the tensioning or tension member. According to an advantageous development of this principle, the lifting apparatus has a two-armed lever which is arranged on the ballast extension arm, and the load arm of which is connected to the first extension arm tube via the tensioning or tension member and the force arm of which is coupled to a drive mechanism which is supported on the ballast extension arm and is preferably configured as a hydraulic cylinder. For uniform distribution of the concrete over a concreting area or in formwork, it may also be advantageous if the free end, which is provided, for example, with a 90° bend, of the second extension arm tube bears a downwardly hanging end hose.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in a schematic manner in the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a rotary distributor with a two-armed extension arm and an end hose;

FIG. 2 shows the extension arm of the rotary distributor with the extension arms thereof interconnected via a tube bend;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the rotary distributor with supporting frame, two extension arm tubes and a parallel guide.

The rotary distributor 10 illustrated in the drawing serves for introducing fresh concrete at building sites at which the direct distribution with stationary distributing booms runs up against technical or economic limits. The rotary distributor 10, with the outlet point 12 thereof, can overcome both large concreting areas and a certain height and is nevertheless simply constructed and easily maneuverable.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3, the rotary distributor has a supporting frame 14 which is mountable by four pivoting legs 16, arranged in a star-shaped manner, on a mounting surface 18. The four pivoting legs 16 can be folded in pairs upward and to the side such that the rotary distributor 10 can be transported without disassembly on a truck or a container in a space-saving manner.

The rotary distributor 10 contains a two-armed extension arm 20 which comprises a first extension arm tube 26 arranged in the region of the input-side end 22 thereof on the supporting frame 14 so as to be rotatable about a frame-mounted horizontal axis 24, and a second extension arm tube 30 which is arranged in the region of the output-side end 25 of the first extension arm tube 26 thereof so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis 28 and communicates with the first extension arm tube 26. A special characteristic of the invention consists in that the first extension arm tube 26 is additionally pivotable in the region of the input-side end 22 thereof about a horizontal axis 32 in relation to the supporting frame 14, and in that the second extension arm tube 30 is additionally rotatable about an axis of rotation 34, which is perpendicular to the horizontal pivot axis 28, in relation to the output-side end 25 of the first extension arm tube 26. Parallel guide means 36 are provided between the first and the second extension arm tube 26, 30, which parallel guide means ensure that the second extension arm tube 30 is always held in an alignment substantially parallel to the mounting surface 18 in different pivoted positions of the first extension arm tube 26. At the same time, this means that, under the action of the parallel guide means 36, the axis of rotation 34 of the second extension arm tube 30, which axis of rotation is perpendicular to the horizontal pivot axis 28, is held in an alignment parallel to the frame-mounted vertical axis 24 in different pivoted positions of the first extension arm tube 26. The parallel guide means 36 therefore form a coupler mechanism in the manner of a parallelogram guide or a double crank, which parallel guide means have a web 38 aligned parallel to the frame-mounted vertical axis 24, and a coupler 40 aligned parallel to the axis of rotation 34 of the second extension arm tube 30, which axis of rotation is arranged at the output-side end 25 of the first extension arm tube 26. The second extension arm tube 30 is aligned here substantially perpendicular to the coupler 40 and, with the tip 42 thereof, describes a coupler curve which results from the consistently horizontal alignment during the pivoting of the first extension arm tube 26.

In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 3, in order to stabilize the direction of the second extension arm tube 30 in the position thereof parallel to the mounting surface 18, a tensioning member 70 is additionally provided, the tensioning member extending from the free end of the coupler 40 obliquely toward the second extension arm tube 30 and being fixed on the latter. For further reinforcement, the second extension arm tube 30 can additionally also be connected to a supporting rail 72 which ensures that the second extension arm tube 30 is not bowed under the load of the fresh concrete flowing therethrough.

At the free tip 42 thereof, the second extension arm tube 30 leads via a 90° bend 44 into a downwardly hanging end hose 46 via which the concrete can easily be discharged onto the concreting site.

It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the extension arm 20 is composed of self-supporting extension arm tubes 26, 30. The first extension arm tube 26 is connected here to a frame-mounted tube length 52 via a total of four tube ends 48 and five tube couplings 50. Two of the tube couplings are configured here as rotary couplings 50′, 50″ with axes of rotation 24, 32 aligned perpendicular to each other. One of the rotary couplings 50′ forms the vertical axis 24, while the other rotary coupling 50″ forms the horizontal axis 32, of the first extension arm tube 26 in relation to the supporting frame 14. Furthermore, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the second extension arm tube 30 is connected at the input-side end 54 thereof via five tube bends 56 and six tube couplings 58 to the output-side end 25 of the first extension arm tube 26, wherein the tube coupling 58′, as the rotary coupling, forms the horizontal pivot axis 28 and another rotary coupling (not illustrated) forms the axis of rotation 34, which is perpendicular to said pivot axis, between the first and the second extension arm tube 26, 30.

A ballast extension arm 60 which rotates together with the first extension arm tube 26 about the frame-mounted vertical axis 24 and is necessary for the stability of the rotary distributor 10 on the mounting surface 18 is located in the region of the input-side end 22 of said first extension arm tube 26.

A further special characteristic of the invention consists in that the first extension arm tube 26 is pivotable about the input-side horizontal axis 32 thereof by means of a lifting apparatus 62 with the second extension arm tube 30 being raised or lowered in relation to the supporting frame 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lifting apparatus 62 has a tensioning or tension member 64 which is clamped between the first extension arm tube 26 and the ballast extension arm 60 and is mechanically actuatable by the first extension arm tube 26 being pivoted about the horizontal axis 32 thereof. In this exemplary embodiment, the lifting apparatus 62 consists of a two-armed lever 66 which is coupled to the ballast extension arm 60, and the load arm 66′ of which is connected to the first extension arm tube 26 via the tensioning or tension member 64 and the force arm 66″ of which is coupled to a drive mechanism 68 which is supported on the ballast extension arm 60 and is configured as a hydraulic cylinder. This involves just one special exemplary embodiment for actuating the extension arm 10. The raising of the first extension arm tube 26 can also be brought about in a different manner. For example, the lifting apparatus 62 can have a lever which is coupled to the ballast extension arm 60 or to the web 38 of the four-bar linkage mechanism, is movable via a drive mechanism 68 and the free lever end of which is connected to the first extension arm tube 26 via the tensioning or tension member 64. In principle, the raising and lowering of the first extension arm 26 can also be undertaken manually.

In summary, the following can be stated: the invention relates to a rotary distributor 10 for thick matter, in particular for fresh concrete, with a supporting frame 14 which is mountable on a mounting surface 18, with a first extension arm tube 26 which is arranged in the region of the input-side end 22 thereof on the supporting frame 14 so as to be rotatable about a frame-mounted vertical axis 24 and is chargeable there under pressure with the thick matter, and with a second extension arm tube 30 which is arranged in the region of the output-side end 25 of the first extension arm tube 26 so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis 28 and communicates with the first extension arm tube 26. What is claimed as being novel is that the first extension arm tube 26 is additionally pivotable in the region of the input-side end 22 thereof about a horizontal axis 32 in relation to the supporting frame 14, in that the second extension arm tube 30 is additionally rotatable about an axis of rotation 34, which is perpendicular to the horizontal pivot axis 28, in relation to the output-side end 25 of the first extension arm tube 26. Furthermore, parallel guide means 36 are provided between the first and the second extension arm tube 26, 30, which parallel guide means ensure that the second extension arm tube 30 is held in an alignment substantially parallel to the mounting surface 18 in different pivoted positions of the first extension arm tube 26.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   10 Rotary distributor -   12 Outlet site -   14 Supporting frame -   16 Pivoting legs -   18 Mounting surface -   20 Two-armed extension arm -   22 Input-side end -   24 Horizontal axis/axis of rotation/vertical axis -   25 Output-side end -   26 First extension arm tube -   28 Horizontal pivot axis -   30 Second extension arm tube -   32 Horizontal axis/axis of rotation -   34 Vertical axis of rotation -   36 Parallel guide means -   38 Web -   40 Coupler -   42 Tip -   44 90° bend -   46 End hose -   48 Tube bend -   50 Tube coupling -   50′, 50″ Rotary coupling -   52 Tube length -   54 Input-side end -   56 Tube bend -   58 Tube coupling -   58′ Rotary coupling -   60 Ballast extension arm -   62 Lifting apparatus -   64 Tensioning or tension member -   66 Two-armed lever -   66′ Load arm -   66″ Force arm -   68 Drive mechanism -   70 Tensioning member -   72 Supporting rail 

1-12. (canceled) 13: A rotary distributor for thick matter, in particular for fresh concrete, with a supporting frame (14) which is mountable on a mounting surface (18), with a first extension arm tube (26) which is arranged in the region of the inlet-side end (22) thereof on the supporting frame (14) so as to be rotatable about a frame-mounted vertical axis (24) and is charged under pressure there with the thick matter and through which the thick matter flows, and with a second extension arm tube (30) which is arranged in the region of the outlet-side end (25) of the first extension arm tube (26) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis, communicates hydraulically with the first extension arm tube (26) and through which the thick matter flows, wherein the first extension arm tube (26) is additionally pivotable in the region of the inlet-side end (22) thereof about a horizontal axis (32) in relation to the supporting frame (14), wherein the first extension arm tube (26) is connected to a frame-mounted tube length (52) via at least two tube bends (48) and a corresponding number of tube couplings (50), wherein two of the tube couplings (50) are configured as rotary couplings (50′, 50″) with axes of rotation (24, 32) which are aligned perpendicular to each other, and wherein one of said two rotary couplings (50′) forms the vertical axis (24), and the other of said two rotary couplings (50″) forms the horizontal axis (32), of the first extension arm tube (26) in relation to the supporting frame (14), wherein the second extension arm tube (30) is additionally rotatable about an axis of rotation (34), which is perpendicular to the horizontal pivot axis (28), in relation to the outlet-side end (25) of the first extension arm tube (26), and wherein parallel guide means (36) are arranged between the first and the second extension arm tube (26, 30), which parallel guide means hold the axis of rotation (34) of the second extension arm tube (30), which axis of rotation is perpendicular to the horizontal pivot axis (28), in an alignment parallel to the frame-mounted vertical axis (24) in different pivoting positions of the first extension arm tube (26). 14: The rotary distributor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the parallel guide means (36) which are arranged between the first and the second extension arm tube (26, 30) hold the second extension arm tube (30) in an alignment which is substantially perpendicular to the frame-mounted vertical axis in different pivoted positions of the first extension arm tube (26). 15: The rotary distributor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the parallel guide means (36) have a web (38) aligned parallel to the frame-mounted vertical axis (24), and a coupler (40) of a four-bar linkage mechanism in the manner of a double crank, which coupler is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation (34) of the second extension arm tube (30), which axis of rotation is arranged at the outlet-side end (25) of the first extension arm tube (26), and wherein the second extension arm tube (30) is aligned substantially perpendicular to the coupler (40) of the four-bar linkage mechanism. 16: The rotary distributor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second extension arm tube (30) is connected at the inlet-side end (54) thereof to the outlet-side end (25) of the first extension arm tube (26) via at least two tube bends (56) and a corresponding number of tube couplings (58), wherein two of the tube couplings are configured as rotary couplings (58′) with axes of rotation (28, 34) aligned perpendicular to each other. 17: The rotary distributor as claimed in claim 16, wherein one of the relevant rotary couplings (58′) forms the horizontal pivot axis (28) and the other of the relevant rotary couplings (58″) forms the axis of rotation (34), which is perpendicular with respect to said pivot axis, between the first and the second extension arm tube (26, 30). 18: The rotary distributor as claimed in claim 13, wherein a ballast extension arm (60) which rotates together with the first extension arm tube (26) about the frame-mounted vertical axis (24) is arranged in the region of the inlet-side end (22) of said first extension arm tube (26). 19: The rotary distributor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first extension arm tube (26) is pivotable about the input-side horizontal axis (32) thereof by means of a lifting apparatus (62) with the second extension arm tube (30) being raised or lowered in relation to the supporting frame (14). 20: The rotary distributor as claimed in claim 19, wherein the lifting apparatus (62) has a tensioning or tension member (64) which is clamped between the first extension arm tube (26) and the ballast extension arm (60) and is mechanically actuatable by the first extension arm tube (26) being pivoted about the horizontal axis (32) thereof. 21: The rotary distributor as claimed in claim 20, wherein the lifting apparatus (62) has a lever (66) which is coupled to the ballast extension arm (60) or to the web (38) of the four-bar linkage mechanism, is movable via a drive mechanism (68) and the free lever end of which is connected to the first extension arm tube (26) via the tensioning or tension member (64). 22: The rotary distributor as claimed in claim 20, wherein the lifting apparatus (62) has a two-armed lever (66) which is arranged on the ballast extension arm (60), and the load arm (66′) of which is connected to the first extension arm tube (26) via the tensioning or tension member (64) and the force arm (66″) of which is coupled to a drive mechanism (68) which is supported on the ballast extension arm (60) and is preferably configured as a hydraulic cylinder. 